Effect of mixed toxic diets (Microcystis and Chlorella) on the rotifers Brachionus calyciflorus and Brachionus havanaensis cultured alone and together

Brachionus havanaensis is a common planktonic rotifer sometimes found together with Brachionus calyciflorus in Microcystis-infected waterbodies in México. Here, we evaluate the impact of mixed diets (dry weight basis, 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% Microcystis or Chlorella) on the growth of and competition between B. calyciflorus and B. havanaensis. In general, a higher proportion of Microcystis aeruginosa in the diet resulted in decreased population growth rate of both rotifer species. Whether grown separately or together, B. havanaensis was always numerically more abundant than B. calyciflorus, regardless of the proportion of Microcystis in the diet. However, when both species were grown together, the impact of M. aeruginosa in the diet had a more adverse effect on B. calyciflorus than on B. havanaensis. When grown alone, both rotifer species showed better population growth on a diet of 75% Chlorella and 25% Microcystis than either 100% Chlorella or Microcystis.